Responsible Gambling

Responsible Gambling is our Commitment

Responsible gambling is part of Casino Nova Scotia's operations because it's the right thing to do. It's part of our commitment to being a socially responsible organization. We are committed to:

• Educating our employees to recognize problem gambling, and providing them with the resources to help themselves and others
• Providing information and assistance to our guests
• Participating in industry-wide programs and initiatives to increase awareness nationally and in the community at large
• Preventing underage gambling, drinking and tobacco use

Responsible Gambling Resource Centres

Responsible Gambling Resource Centres (RGRC) are located on-site at Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax and Sydney near the main lobbies. The Centres are managed by staff trained in addictions and crisis management from Shepell FGI.

Visit the website for more details at: http://www.rgrc.ns.ca

To find out how we can work together to contribute to responsible gambling awareness, please read below.

KNOW THE SIGNS

Despite all the consequences, compulsive gamblers will go to great lengths to deny and even cover up their problem. Could you be at risk? Ask yourself these questions.

Have you ever...

• Lost time from work or family due to gambling?
• Failed in repeated attempts to stop or control gambling?
• Borrowed money to gamble or pay gambling debts?
• Gambled to escape worry or trouble?
• Lied about time and money spent gambling?
• Neglected responsibilities to yourself or family to gamble?
• Gambled more money to win back losses?
• Sold personal possessions for gambling money?
• Felt hopeless, depressed or suicidal due to gambling?

When to Ask for Help

If you or someone you know is suffering from the fear and anxiety associated with compulsive gambling, remember, you're not alone. Responsible Gambling Resource Centres (RGRC) are located on-site at Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax and Sydney near the main lobbies. The Centres are managed by staff trained in addictions and crisis management from Shepell FGI.

Visit the website for more details at: http://www.rgrc.ns.ca

On-line Help

• Alcohol and Gaming Authority of Nova Scotia: http://www.gov.ns.ca/aga/
• Department of Health - Problem Gambling
• Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation

Casino Nova Scotia Responsible Gambling Policy

Casino Nova Scotia will provide an entertainment experience to guests in a manner that encourages responsible gambling.

Intent

It is Casino Nova Scotia's intent to provide an attitude of open awareness in recognizing the issue of problem gamblers, and to assist and encourage those with identified gambling problems to seek help available from professional support organizations without interfering with or causing embarrassment to other patrons of the gambling entertainment complex.

Self-Identification Process

Provision for individuals to identify themselves to the casinos as problem gamblers has been put into place to ensure compliance with this policy, the Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority and Casino Nova Scotia's commitment. This self-identification process includes self-exclusion from the casinos; a record keeping system and method of visual identification within the casinos to permit identification of the individual to Casino management involved in monitoring participation in gambling.

Any individual who identifies themselves as having a gambling problem will be interviewed by the Security Shift Manager and will complete a self-exclusion agreement which includes the following:

• Name, address, and date
• Authorization to take photographs to attach to the form
• Reason for the request for exclusion from the Casinos
• Statement acknowledging that the individual is required to file a written request for reinstatement to the Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority and that a hearing will be held to determine if access will be granted
• Statement acknowledging that a photocopy of the signed form and duplicate photographs be given to the other Casino (Sydney or Halifax) so that both casinos in Nova Scotia may honour the identification, a copy of the form to the Alcohol and Gaming Authority
• Witness signature

The procedures for self-identification may be accomplished with the cooperative efforts of a supervisor/manager and the Security Department. The Security Department will conduct photography of the individual by Polaroid camera, attaching one photo to the original signed form (which remains in Security), one to each of the Surveillance, Table Games and Slot Departments and will forward by express mail four copies of the form and four copies of the photograph to the other Casino Nova Scotia property (Sydney or Halifax) to the attention of the Director of Security to be used by the same departments to honour the self-identification. A copy of the form and photograph is also express mailed to the Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority and a copy delivered to the RCMP.

If an individual who has self-excluded returns to either of the casinos a second time without written permission from the Alcohol and Gaming Authority, he/she may be served notice of the Protection of Property Act.

Casino Nova Scotia: Promoting Responsible Gambling Awareness

• Since opening, Casino Nova Scotia has contributed $1 million annually to Nova Scotia Department of Health to encourage responsible gambling awareness
• Proportionally, this is the largest contribution to responsible gambling made by a Canadian casino
• A portion of the fund has been used to set up and operate the Province's problem gambling help line
• The funding has paid for the development of a public awareness video for the Department of Health, entitled Romancing the Odds, which is distributed, free-of-charge, across the province.

Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-888-347-8888 

 

Related Links

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week
Responsible Gambling Conference
Social Responsibility Charter